Evidence

Since the verdict must be based on the evidence in the case, a juror Should know what may be taken into consideration as evidence.

Truth

If a lawyer, during the trial, admits some statement of fact made by the other side to be true, or if the lawyers on both sides, either before or during the trial, agree that certain things are true, you must accept as true the facts admitted or stipulated.

Evidence

Answers to questions are evidence. Exhibits are evidence. A deposition is evidence.

Not Evidence

Pleadings in the case being tried are not evidence. Matters offered to be proved, but not allowed by the court, are not evidence. Statements made by lawyers on what they expect to prove, or what they claim they have proved, are not evidence. If any statement is made by a lawyer that differs from your recollection of what the evidence was, you must rely on your own recollection.

Information on the case, the parties, the lawyers or the witnesses gained from sources other than the evidence presented in court is not evidence and must not he considered.

Remarks

Sometimes remarks reflecting favorably or unfavorably upon the case, or upon someone connected with it, are made in the presence of jurors. Presumably, the person making the remark is not known and, at the time, is neither under oath nor subject to cross-examination, and the interest, motive or source of information may not be known. The remark may have been made in tile hope that a juror would overhear and he influenced by it. Such remarks are not evidence and must be disregarded.

Objections

It sometimes happens that the lawyers on one side will object to a question asked or an exhibit offered by the other side. Under the rules, a lawyer is within his or her rights in objecting to the introduction of any evidence that is believed not proper. If the judge thinks the evidence is not proper, he or she will sustain the objection, and such a ruling keeps that evidence out of the case. If the judge thinks the lawyer is mistaken in objecting, the objection will be overruled, and the evidence will be permitted to become a part of the case. Objections by the lawyers, or the rulings of the judge with regard to them, should not cause a juror to take sides. A trial is not a contest between lawyers, but a search for justice according to the evidence received and the law as explained by the court.

Judge Conference

Occasionally, the lawyers approach the bench and have a conference with the judge in a low tone. Also, at times, the jury is excused from the courtroom while the lawyers argue a point of law before the judge alone. The purpose of such procedure is to secure a ruling from the judge as to some matter relating to the trial, generally as to what may or may not he presented to the jury. Although these conferences may appear to the Jury to be unnecessary interruptions, in the end they result in the saving of time.